If your headed to Nürnberg (also known as Nuremberg to English-speakers), and wondering where to find the best place to stay in Nuremberg with a dog, you’re in for a treat! Whether you’re catching the bedazzling Medieval Christmas markets, on a summer vacay, or taking advantage of shoulder season to do some relaxed sightseeing, you’ll have a fantastic time. And if you are bringing your canine companion, you still have options for a hotel that’s comfortable, charming, near the center of the Old Town, and holds its arms open for your whole family – dog-friendly Hotel Elch!
Historic Hotel
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The hotel is a family-run business in the best possible way. It is located in a 14th century (that is not a typo) timber-framed building dating back to 1342! In the heart of the Castle District, you can walk to all the attractions in the city center easily – the Imperial Castle, the Dürer House, St. Sebaldus Church, and many excellent restaurants. Check-in is at 3:00pm and check out is at 11:00am.
*You can probably imagine why, but there is no elevator! If you must have one, this is not your place. But is it worth taking a couple flights of stairs to stay here? We thought so!
Rooms
Some of the rooms are fresh and modern, and others retain that historic charm. Ours was the latter. I think I audibly gasped when we opened the door. A back staircase will bring you to your room, and the whole place just oozes character and history at every turn. Our window looked over the cobblestone street, and I couldn’t help but wonder how many people had peered out the window in the last 680 years!
The bathroom was pretty small, but workable. There will be no romantic 2-person showers here. Honestly I can’t imagine trying to figure out how to get all the modern utilities into a building from the 1300s so kudos to them! We also got a sweet hand-drawn welcome sign. And there’s a fairly big flat-screen TV and free Wifi, but you’ll hopefully be spending your free time soaking in the sights of the city.
Parking
The hotel is located in the pedestrian zone where no cars are allowed, so you’ll have to park in a very nearby parking garage. But the hotel is right on the border, so we were able to park on the street, and basically roll our bags, and walk Helga a hundred feet and we were at the hotel. I got settled and David parked the car a couple blocks away. It was actually much easier than I anticipated. If you’re a seek-and-find person, you can also try to find free parking around the hotel area.
Food
There’s a daily breakfast buffet included in your room rate, and it’s definitely worth taking advantage of. It wasn’t vast and elaborate, but it had all the necessities, nice presentation, and a relaxing vibe I looked forward to. They even offer a daily newspaper. Yes, a physical paper one! Little touches like that made the stay special.
There’s also a really amazing Thai place (and I’m picky about my Thai food) downstairs where we ate our first night.
Why is Hotel Elch the Best Place to Stay in Nuremberg with a Dog?
Helga was welcomed right off the bat at dog-friendly Hotel Elch. She was able to sit with me and hang out in the lobby. They even provided dog bowls, a dog bed, a blanket, and a treat! Helga would also have been welcomed at breakfast but we decided not to take the chance she would charge the awesome buffet! But all that’s the difference between dog-tolerant, and dog welcoming! There is a very small pet fee of $10 per night per pet which is much less than most hotels we’ve stayed at in Europe.
Would We Stay Again?
Yes, yes, yes. It doesn’t have luxury amenities, but it has charm, heart, a friendly welcoming staff, and a fabulous historical vibe you just can’t get in a modern hotel.
Helga’s rating: 🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴
You can check availability right now.
*For a great historical site close to the hotel, check out “Digging Up the Secrets of the Nuremberg Art Bunker!”
And for a comprehensive article with lots of tips and tricks, read our article Staying in a Hotel With Your Dog – Top Tips!
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I loved traveling with my dog. The first dog I ever traveled with was my Great Dane Zoë. She was an amazing travel companion.
A Great Dane! Amazing, now that’s commitment. <3